Sahara: Spain’s PP remains ambiguous on Morocco’s autonomy plan
As Spain gears up for its legislative elections, set for the summer of 2027, the People’s Party, dominating both houses of Parliament, is re-evaluating its stance on Western Sahara. Since March 2022, the party has supported Morocco’s autonomy plan to address the conflict. However, this position may not remain unchanged if the right regains power.
«The first thing we will do is understand the reasons behind this shift [by Pedro Sánchez], explain them to the Spanish people, and then make political decisions», stated party spokesman Borja Sémper to the Iberian press, with remarks echoed by Sahrawi media.
Is Feijóo echoing Mariano Rajoy’s approach?
The spokesperson avoided confirming whether the People’s Party might endorse «a two-state solution in Western Sahara».
«Well, that is something we will have to decide. But that decision must be made in consultation with the Sahrawi people, not against them. That has always been our position, and it was the consensus within the Socialist Party, the People’s Party, and other left-wing groups. That consensus has been shattered, and we consider that unacceptable.»
It’s noteworthy that PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo had vowed during the July 23, 2023, snap general election to «restore the balance between Algeria, the Sahrawi people, and Morocco».
However, during a vote on July 23, 2026, lawmakers overlooked this pledge in the Justice Committee of the lower house, abstaining on a bill to grant Spanish nationality to Sahrawis born before August 11, 1976. Yet, in April, the PP had supported far-left Sumar coalition initiatives that sought to bypass the Socialist refusal to review the same proposal.
Mariano Rajoy, the last PP leader to govern Spain (2011–2018), initially engaged with the Polisario in 2004 while in opposition. Once in power, he prioritized Spain’s economic, political, and security interests with Morocco, ultimately moving away from earlier promises to the Front made by his envoy to the Tindouf camps, Catalan Jorge Moragas.
Under Rajoy, Morocco and Spain held two high-level joint commission meetings, in Rabat in 2012 and Madrid in 2015, setting aside disagreements over Western Sahara.
Alongside shared interests, there’s the influence of Donald Trump. The PP often blames Pedro Sánchez for tensions with Washington.
Therefore, reconsidering Spain’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan—endorsed by the United States since December 2020—could spark a new diplomatic rift with Washington. This is a scenario the conservatives seem eager to avoid.
Credit: Source link